How Vettley scores work
A Vettley Signal Score is built from automated checks of public signals. The same checks run the same way for every business, and every check is dated. We do not collect reviews, and no payment changes a score.
What we check
| Signal | How we check it | Points | Scoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure site | We open a secure (HTTPS) connection to the website and confirm the security certificate is valid and trusted, and note when it expires. | 20 | Full points for a valid certificate with more than 14 days left. Partial if it expires within 14 days. |
| Website live | We load the homepage once and note whether it loads, returns an error, shows a parked or for-sale page, or forwards to another domain. | 25 | Full points if the business's own site loads. Partial if it forwards to a different domain. |
| Mobile ready | We look for the mobile viewport setting that tells phones how to display the page. | 15 | Full points if present. |
| Phone listed | We confirm a phone number is listed and that it is a valid US format. We do not call businesses. | 15 | Full points for a valid US number. |
| Real address | We confirm a street address with a ZIP code is listed. | 10 | Full points for a full street address; partial for city only. |
| Years online | We look up when the website's domain was first registered, using public registration data (RDAP). | 15 | From 3 points (under 1 year) up to 15 (10+ years). Not counted if the date is not public. |
| State registered | Business-registry checks are rolling out state by state. | – | Not counted yet. |
The score is the points a business earned, divided by the points available for the signals we could check, on a 0 to 100 scale.
What the score means
- 85 to 100, Strong signals: nearly every public signal checked out.
- 70 to 84, Good signals: most signals checked out.
- 50 to 69, Mixed signals: several signals were worth a look on the date checked.
- Under 50, Few signals: we found few of the signals we look for.
"Worth a look" marks a signal that did not check out on the date shown. It is not an accusation, and it may already be fixed. A missing signal can have an ordinary explanation, like a new website or a business that works mostly by referral.
What we don't check
Signals describe how a business shows up online. They say nothing about workmanship, pricing, honesty, licensing or insurance. Before hiring, ask for references, a written estimate, and proof of license and insurance where your state requires them.
Rechecks, corrections and removal
Anyone can request a recheck or correction, free. Business owners can also ask us to remove a report. We read every request.
Independence
No payment changes a score. Vettley's operator also runs businesses that may appear or advertise on Vettley. They are checked by the same automated tools and scored the same way as every other business.
Where the data comes from
Business names, addresses, phone numbers and websites come from public business listings, including data from the Overture Maps Foundation (CDLA Permissive 2.0). Website checks are made by VettleyBot, which identifies itself and respects robots.txt.
Questions
Why did a business get “Not checked” on a signal?
Some signals cannot be checked every time. A website may ask automated tools not to visit, or a domain's registration date may not be public. Signals we could not check are left out of the score instead of counted against the business.
Why might a score be out of date?
Websites change. Every report shows its check date. Owners can request a free recheck at any time.
Does Vettley contact businesses or call phone numbers?
No. We check only what is publicly available online. We never call, email or visit businesses as part of a check.